Patents by Inventor Jonathan W. Kimball
Jonathan W. Kimball has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9806628Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the delivery of power from a DC source to an AC grid includes an inverter configured to deliver power from the unipolar input source to the AC grid and an inverter controller. The inverter includes an input converter, an active filter, and an output converter. The inverter controller includes an input converter controller, an active filter controller and an output converter controller. The input converter controller is configured to control a current delivered by the input converter to a galvanically isolated unipolar bus of the inverter. The output converter is configured to control the output converter to deliver power to the AC grid. Additionally, the active filter controller is configured to control the active filter to supply substantially all the power that is deliver by the output controller to the AC grid at a grid frequency.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2015Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: SunPower CorporationInventors: Patrick L. Chapman, Brian T. Kuhn, Robert S. Balog, Jonathan W. Kimball, Philip T. Krein, Alexander Gray, Trishan Esram
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Patent number: 9722504Abstract: An inverter for converting an input direct current (DC) waveform from a DC source to an output alternating current (AC) waveform for delivery to an AC grid includes an input converter, an output converter, and an active filter, each of which is electrically coupled to a bus. The bus may be a DC bus or an AC bus. The input converter is configured to convert the input DC waveform to a DC or AC bus waveform. The output converter is configured to convert the bus waveform to the output AC waveform at a grid frequency. The active filter is configured to reduce a double-frequency ripple power of the bus waveform by supplying power to and absorbing power from the power bus.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: SunPower CorporationInventors: Patrick L. Chapman, Brian T. Kuhn, Robert S. Balog, Jonathan W. Kimball, Philip T. Krein, Alexander Gray
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Publication number: 20160164427Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the delivery of power from a DC source to an AC grid includes an inverter configured to deliver power from the unipolar input source to the AC grid and an inverter controller. The inverter includes an input converter, an active filter, and an output converter. The inverter controller includes an input converter controller, an active filter controller and an output converter controller. The input converter controller is configured to control a current delivered by the input converter to a galvanically isolated unipolar bus of the inverter. The output converter is configured to control the output converter to deliver power to the AC grid. Additionally, the active filter controller is configured to control the active filter to supply substantially all the power that is deliver by the output controller to the AC grid at a grid frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2015Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventors: Patrick L. Chapman, Brian T. Kuhn, Robert S. Balog, Jonathan W. Kimball, Philip T. Krein, Alexander Gray, Trishan Esram
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Patent number: 9225256Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the delivery of power from a DC source to an AC grid includes an inverter configured to deliver power from the unipolar input source to the AC grid and an inverter controller. The inverter includes an input converter, an active filter, and an output converter. The inverter controller includes an input converter controller, an active filter controller and an output converter controller. The input converter controller is configured to control a current delivered by the input converter to a galvanically isolated unipolar bus of the inverter. The output converter is configured to control the output converter to deliver power to the AC grid. Additionally, the active filter controller is configured to control the active filter to supply substantially all the power that is deliver by the output controller to the AC grid at a grid frequency.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2013Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATIONInventors: Patrick L. Chapman, Brian T. Kuhn, Robert S. Balog, Jonathan W. Kimball, Philip T. Krein, Alexander Gray, Trishan Esram
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Publication number: 20150333617Abstract: An inverter for converting an input direct current (DC) waveform from a DC source to an output alternating current (AC) waveform for delivery to an AC grid includes an input converter, an output converter, and an active filter, each of which is electrically coupled to a bus. The bus may be a DC bus or an AC bus. The input converter is configured to convert the input DC waveform to a DC or AC bus waveform. The output converter is configured to convert the bus waveform to the output AC waveform at a grid frequency. The active filter is configured to reduce a double-frequency ripple power of the bus waveform by supplying power to and absorbing power from the power bus.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2015Publication date: November 19, 2015Inventors: Patrick L. Chapman, Brian T. Kuhn, Robert S. Balog, Jonathan W. Kimball, Philip T. Krein, Alexander Gray
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Patent number: 9093919Abstract: An inverter for converting an input direct current (DC) waveform from a DC source to an output alternating current (AC) waveform for delivery to an AC grid includes an input converter, an output converter, and an active filter, each of which is electrically coupled to a bus. The bus may be a DC bus or an AC bus. The input converter is configured to convert the input DC waveform to a DC or AC bus waveform. The output converter is configured to convert the bus waveform to the output AC waveform at a grid frequency. The active filter is configured to reduce a double-frequency ripple power of the bus waveform by supplying power to and absorbing power from the power bus.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2012Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: SunPower CorporationInventors: Patrick L. Chapman, Brian T. Kuhn, Robert S. Balog, Jonathan W. Kimball, Philip T. Krein, Alexander Gray
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Patent number: 8929099Abstract: A bi-directional DC/DC converter includes at least one module having a module input for providing a bi-directional module input current, and a module output with an output inductor for providing a bi-directional module output current. A transformer has a primary winding wound around a transformer core and connected to the module input, and a secondary winding wound around the core and connected to the module output. A primary set of switches is connected in an H-bridge configuration between the module input and the primary winding. And, a secondary set of switches is connected in an H-bridge configuration between the module output and the secondary winding. A current sensing component senses the module output current. A hysteretic control drives the primary set of switches to control flux. The hysteretic control drives the secondary set of switches to control the module output current as a function of the sensed module output current.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Bitrode CorporationInventors: Kevin Kepley, Jonathan W. Kimball
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Publication number: 20140003100Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the delivery of power from a DC source to an AC grid includes an inverter configured to deliver power from the unipolar input source to the AC grid and an inverter controller. The inverter includes an input converter, an active filter, and an output converter. The inverter controller includes an input converter controller, an active filter controller and an output converter controller. The input converter controller is configured to control a current delivered by the input converter to a galvanically isolated unipolar bus of the inverter. The output converter is configured to control the output converter to deliver power to the AC grid. Additionally, the active filter controller is configured to control the active filter to supply substantially all the power that is deliver by the output controller to the AC grid at a grid frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2013Publication date: January 2, 2014Inventors: Patrick L. Chapman, Brian T. Kuhn, Robert S. Balog, Jonathan W. Kimball, Philip T. Krein, Alexander Gray
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Patent number: 8482947Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the delivery of power from a DC source to an AC grid includes an inverter configured to deliver power from the unipolar input source to the AC grid and an inverter controller. The inverter includes an input converter, an active filter, and an output converter. The inverter controller includes an input converter controller, an active filter controller and an output converter controller. The input converter controller is configured to control a current delivered by the input converter to a galvanically isolated unipolar bus of the inverter. The output converter is configured to control the output converter to deliver power to the AC grid. Additionally, the active filter controller is configured to control the active filter to supply substantially all the power that is deliver by the output controller to the AC grid at a grid frequency.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2009Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: SolarBridge Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Patrick L. Chapman, Brian T. Kuhn, Robert S. Balog, Jonathan W. Kimball, Philip T. Krein, Alexander Gray, Trishan Esram
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Publication number: 20130027982Abstract: An inverter for converting an input direct current (DC) waveform from a DC source to an output alternating current (AC) waveform for delivery to an AC grid includes an input converter, an output converter, and an active filter, each of which is electrically coupled to a bus. The bus may be a DC bus or an AC bus. The input converter is configured to convert the input DC waveform to a DC or AC bus waveform. The output converter is configured to convert the bus waveform to the output AC waveform at a grid frequency. The active filter is configured to reduce a double-frequency ripple power of the bus waveform by supplying power to and absorbing power from the power bus.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2012Publication date: January 31, 2013Inventors: Patrick L. Chapman, Brian T. Kuhn, Robert S. Balog, Jonathan W. Kimball, Philip T. Krein, Alexander Gray
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Patent number: 8350411Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying energy to a load includes an energy recharge unit, an energy storage unit, an energy converter connected to the energy recharge unit, the energy converter being capable of transferring energy at a power level from the energy recharge unit to an output node, the power level being determined by a power transfer controller, and a bi-directional energy converter connected to the energy storage unit and to the output node. The bi-directional energy converter is capable of converting energy of varying voltages from the energy storage unit to energy of varying current levels to supplement the transferred energy with energy from the energy storage unit so as to maintain a constant voltage on the output node. The bi-directional energy converter is capable of converting the transferred energy to provide charging energy to the energy storage unit when the transferred energy exceeds a demand level of the load while maintaining the constant voltage at the output node.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2011Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: SolarBridge Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan W. Kimball, Philip T. Krein, Nicholas D. Benavides
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Patent number: 8279642Abstract: An inverter for converting an input direct current (DC) waveform from a DC source to an output alternating current (AC) waveform for delivery to an AC grid includes an input converter, an output converter, and an active filter, each of which is electrically coupled to a bus. The bus may be a DC bus or an AC bus. The input converter is configured to convert the input DC waveform to a DC or AC bus waveform. The output converter is configured to convert the bus waveform to the output AC waveform at a grid frequency. The active filter is configured to reduce a double-frequency ripple power of the bus waveform by supplying power to and absorbing power from the power bus.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2009Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: SolarBridge Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Patrick L. Chapman, Brian T. Kuhn, Robert S. Balog, Jonathan W. Kimball, Philip T. Krein, Alexander Gray
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Publication number: 20120074949Abstract: A bi-directional DC/DC converter includes at least one module having a module input for providing a bi-directional module input current, and a module output with an output inductor for providing a bi-directional module output current. A transformer has a primary winding wound around a transformer core and connected to the module input, and a secondary winding wound around the core and connected to the module output. A primary set of switches is connected in an H-bridge configuration between the module input and the primary winding. And, a secondary set of switches is connected in an H-bridge configuration between the module output and the secondary winding. A current sensing component senses the module output current. A hysteretic control drives the primary set of switches to control flux. The hysteretic control drives the secondary set of switches to control the module output current as a function of the sensed module output current.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2010Publication date: March 29, 2012Inventors: Kevin Kepley, Jonathan W. Kimball
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Publication number: 20110199044Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying energy to a load includes an energy recharge unit, an energy storage unit, an energy converter connected to the energy recharge unit, the energy converter being capable of transferring energy at a power level from the energy recharge unit to an output node, the power level being determined by a power transfer controller, and a bi-directional energy converter connected to the energy storage unit and to the output node. The bi-directional energy converter is capable of converting energy of varying voltages from the energy storage unit to energy of varying current levels to supplement the transferred energy with energy from the energy storage unit so as to maintain a constant voltage on the output node. The bi-directional energy converter is capable of converting the transferred energy to provide charging energy to the energy storage unit when the transferred energy exceeds a demand level of the load while maintaining the constant voltage at the output node.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2011Publication date: August 18, 2011Inventors: Jonathan W. Kimball, Philip T. Krein, Nicholas D. Benavides
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Patent number: 7994657Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying energy to a load includes an energy recharge unit, an energy storage unit, an energy converter connected to the energy recharge unit, the energy converter being capable of transferring energy at a power level from the energy recharge unit to an output node, the power level being determined by a power transfer controller, and a bi-directional energy converter connected to the energy storage unit and to the output node. The bi-directional energy converter is capable of converting energy of varying voltages from the energy storage unit to energy of varying current levels to supplement the transferred energy with energy from the energy storage unit so as to maintain a constant voltage on the output node. The bi-directional energy converter is capable of converting the transferred energy to provide charging energy to the energy storage unit when the transferred energy exceeds a demand level of the load while maintaining the constant voltage at the output node.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2006Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: SolarBridge Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan W. Kimball, Philip T. Krein, Nicholas D. Benavides
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Patent number: 7982434Abstract: In an electrical power supply having a plurality of switching power converter circuits and configured to supply a voltage to an electrical load, a method of controlling a duty cycle of at least one switch of one of the plurality of switching power converter circuits includes determining a storage voltage produced by the one of the plurality of energy storage devices. The method further includes determining an average storage voltage corresponding to an average of storage voltages produced by each of the plurality of energy storage devices. The method further includes determining at least one control signal as a function of the storage voltage, the average storage voltage, and a reference voltage. The method further includes controlling the duty cycle of the at least one switch of the one of the plurality of switching power converter circuits based upon the at least one control signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2010Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: SolarBridge Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan W. Kimball, Philip T. Krein, Nicholas D. Benavides
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Publication number: 20110026282Abstract: An inverter for converting an input direct current (DC) waveform from a DC source to an output alternating current (AC) waveform for delivery to an AC grid includes an input converter, an output converter, and an active filter, each of which is electrically coupled to a bus. The bus may be a DC bus or an AC bus. The input converter is configured to convert the input DC waveform to a DC or AC bus waveform. The output converter is configured to convert the bus waveform to the output AC waveform at a grid frequency. The active filter is configured to reduce a double-frequency ripple power of the bus waveform by supplying power to and absorbing power from the power bus.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2009Publication date: February 3, 2011Inventors: Patrick L. Chapman, Brian T. Kuhn, Robert S. Balog, Jonathan W. Kimball, Philip T. Krein, Alexander Gray
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Publication number: 20110026281Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the delivery of power from a DC source to an AC grid includes an inverter configured to deliver power from the unipolar input source to the AC grid and an inverter controller. The inverter includes an input converter, an active filter, and an output converter. The inverter controller includes an input converter controller, an active filter controller and an output converter controller. The input converter controller is configured to control a current delivered by the input converter to a galvanically isolated unipolar bus of the inverter. The output converter is configured to control the output converter to deliver power to the AC grid. Additionally, the active filter controller is configured to control the active filter to supply substantially all the power that is deliver by the output controller to the AC grid at a grid frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2009Publication date: February 3, 2011Inventors: Patrick L. Chapman, Brian T. Kuhn, Robert S. Balog, Jonathan W. Kimball, Philip T. Krein, Alexander Gray, Trishan Esram
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Publication number: 20100283326Abstract: In an electrical power supply having a plurality of switching power converter circuits and configured to supply a voltage to an electrical load, a method of controlling a duty cycle of at least one switch of one of the plurality of switching power converter circuits includes determining a storage voltage produced by the one of the plurality of energy storage devices. The method further includes determining an average storage voltage corresponding to an average of storage voltages produced by each of the plurality of energy storage devices. The method further includes determining at least one control signal as a function of the storage voltage, the average storage voltage, and a reference voltage. The method further includes controlling the duty cycle of the at least one switch of the one of the plurality of switching power converter circuits based upon the at least one control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2010Publication date: November 11, 2010Inventors: Jonathan W. Kimball, Philip T. Krein, Nicholas D. Benavides
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Patent number: 7681090Abstract: A method for controlling a variable of a switching electrical circuit detects values for each of a first waveform and of a second waveform in the switching circuit at a beginning of and at a predetermined instant during a switching interval of a switching operation of the electrical circuit, both of the first and second waveforms are perturbed by the switching operation, and evaluates the variable based on the corresponding values of both the first waveform and the second waveform detected at the beginning and at the predetermined instant during the switching interval. The method further adjusts an operating point of the circuit based on a change in the variable between the two evaluations so as to maximize the variable.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2007Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: SolarBridge Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan W. Kimball, Philip T. Krein